Samuel "David" Wolpe
Reno,Nevada
Summary
Twenty Five plus consecutive years in the Automotive Retail Industry. A customer and Employee-oriented General Manager with 10 years of experience focused on increasing revenues, decreasing unnecessary expenses, with a strong focus on net retention. Persuasive communicator in the oral and written form. Experienced at the hiring, training, scheduling, mentoring, and performance appraisals of both management and staff employees. Goal oriented with records of success in meeting and exceeding established standards. Coordinated and conducted all operational meetings. Exceptionally knowledgeable in automobile industry Finance and Insurance. Extremely involved with used vehicle procurement and wholesale. Developed advertising concepts and plans for business promotion. Adaptive and deadline-oriented consistently executes and completes multiple projects in high-stress environments. Meticulous leader and strategic planner with comprehensive managerial acumen, offering vision and motivational acumen.
*Eleven years in Restaurant General Management prior to the Automotive Industry.
Overview
36
36
years of professional experience
Work History
General Manager
Lithia Volkswagen of Reno
06.2018 - 06.2024
- Responsible for all phases of the business operation-Sales & Finance, and Fixed Operations.
- Refined attention to cost control and net retention in Sales and Fixed Operations.
- Active hands-on Management approach.
- Extremely well versed in full-spectrum financing.
- Fully engaged in all used vehicle purchasing and wholesaling.
- Full focus on Service Retention with a 10% YOY expectation for Customer Pay, Internal, and Warranty.
- Professional, educated, and profit driven.
- Managed budget implementations, employee reviews, training, schedules, and contract negotiations.
- Maintained a positive customer experience with CSI/SSI (NPS Score) which was always above Region and often above the Nation.
- Developed and implemented strategies to increase sales and profitability.
- Cultivated strong relationships with clients, vendors, and partners to ensure long-term success and loyalty.
- Monitored financial performance, set budgets and controlled expenses to provide financial stability and long-term organizational growth.
- Managed budget development, forecasting, and financial reporting processes to track progress towards organizational objectives accurately.
- Implemented effective cost-saving measures to reduce overhead expenses without compromising quality or service.
- Developed and maintained relationships with customers and suppliers through account development.
- Analyzed market trends/data to identify potential opportunities for business growth within existing or emerging markets successfully.
- Provided strategic oversight of marketing and promotional campaigns to keep campaigns aligned with overall goals and objectives.
Finance Director
Lithia Hyundai of Reno
03.2012 - 06.2018
- Specializing in Sub-Prime Financing.
- Recruited and hired the right mix of Finance Managers to build a 10-year failing Finance Department.
- Outstanding bank relations.
- Built a new culture in the sales arena with an emphasis of selling back-end products.
- Over a six-year period we took the Finance Department from a per round net of $600.00 a copy to an average of $2,300.00-$2,800.00 net per copy.
- Continually personally ranked amongst top 10 producers in the company.
Sales Manager/Used Vehicle Manager
Mercedes-Benz of Reno
09.2008 - 02.2012
- Responsible for New and Used vehicle inventories.
- Resolved customer issues quickly to close deals and boost client satisfaction.
- Mercedes-Benz Sale Manager Certified.
- Led a successful sales team by providing motivational coaching and performance-based incentives.
- Closed lucrative sales deals using strong negotiation and persuasion skills.
- Maintained ethical and positive working environment to reduce turnover and promote high retention rates.
- Conducted team meetings to reinforce goals and objectives and set clear expectations about policies and procedures.
- Built relationships with customers and community to establish long-term business growth.
General Manager
Lithia Sparks Suzuki
07.2005 - 03.2008
- Responsible for all phases of the business operation / Sales & Finance, Fixed Operations.
- Created and worked within a structured Business Plan accepted and endorsed by the Manufacturer.
- Managed budget implementations, employee reviews, training, schedules, and contract negotiations.
- Managed a diverse team of professionals, fostering a positive work environment and high employee satisfaction.
- Assisted in all procurement and wholesaling of used vehicles.
- The Dealership was losing over $250,000.00 monthly and we able to break even within our tenure.
- Suzuki, the manufacture discontinued operations in United States.
Used Vehicle Sales Manager
Lithia Reno Subaru
06.2004 - 07.2005
- Managed 150–200 used vehicle inventory.
- Procured and wholesaled used vehicles via auction, off street purchasing, and intercompany.
- Approved all reconditioning on every used vehicle.
- Created and adhered to a stocking management plan
- Negotiated beneficial agreements with vendors for reconditioning services, ensuring top-quality vehicles at competitive prices.
- In addition, personally worked over 100 retail sales on a monthly basis.
- Provided comprehensive training to new sales staff members, fostering an environment of constant learning and professional growth.
Finance Manager / Director
Lithia - Reno Subaru / Sparks Suzuki
07.2001 - 06.2004
- Obtained financing for 80-100 clients monthly
- Strong Dealer to Bank relationships-specializing in sub prime financing
- Assisted with Sales and Finance / Insurance training.
- Streamlined month-end close process, reducing time spent on manual tasks and improving data accuracy.
- Ensured compliance with local, state, federal tax regulations; timely filing of all required documents, mitigating potential penalties or fines.
- Mentored junior finance staff, fostering professional development and strong team dynamics.
Sales Associate / Internet Sales Manager
Lithia - Reno Subaru / Sparks Suzuki
10.1999 - 07.2001
- Averaged 20+ units per month
- Named Salesman of the Month 14 times and Salesman of the Year two years in a row
- Only Gold Level Achiever at Lithia Reno Subaru two years in a row.
General Manager/Regional Manager
Rigel Corporation
08.1988 - 08.1999
- Managed all phases of food and beverage operations
- Maximizing food and labor cost control
- Created and increased each facility to achieve year over year record sales.
Education
Accounting
University of Nevada, Reno
Reno, NVAccounting
Bentley University
Waltham, MAAssociate of Arts - Accounting And Business Management
Truckee Meadows Community College
Reno, NVSkills
- Operations Management
- Staff Development
- Business Analysis
- Employee Motivation
- Inventory Management
- Strategic Planning
- Customer Service
- Business Development
- Inventory Control
- P&L Management
- Customer Retention
- Budgeting and forecasting
- Performance reporting
- Marketing
Affiliations
- Member of Reno Sparks Chamber of Commerce
- Member of Nevada Franchised Dealers Association
Timeline
General Manager
Lithia Volkswagen of Reno
06.2018 - 06.2024
Finance Director
Lithia Hyundai of Reno
03.2012 - 06.2018
Sales Manager/Used Vehicle Manager
Mercedes-Benz of Reno
09.2008 - 02.2012
General Manager
Lithia Sparks Suzuki
07.2005 - 03.2008
Used Vehicle Sales Manager
Lithia Reno Subaru
06.2004 - 07.2005
Finance Manager / Director
Lithia - Reno Subaru / Sparks Suzuki
07.2001 - 06.2004
Sales Associate / Internet Sales Manager
Lithia - Reno Subaru / Sparks Suzuki
10.1999 - 07.2001
General Manager/Regional Manager
Rigel Corporation
08.1988 - 08.1999
Accounting
University of Nevada, Reno
Accounting
Bentley University
Associate of Arts - Accounting And Business Management
Truckee Meadows Community College
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